Even to be promoted from a low-level inferior demon to a little devil, it would take at least three hours.

As for more advanced forms, it can take more than ten hours.

Therefore, for a fallen soul like Erinikas, who attracted extra attention from the plane's will and was even destined to become a unique form of archdevil, the transformation process would inevitably take more than twenty hours.

Especially the source of sin and hatred formed after the divine spark was extinguished. It was like a hungry beast, madly devouring the nutrients given to it by the entire hell plane.

Not only does it include the enormous divine energy obtained from squeezing souls, but it also contains the larvae that are transformed from countless mortal souls after their death in the hatching pits.

Normally, these larvae should have hatched into cannon fodder at the bottom of the food chain - inferior demons.

But now they have all become part of the body of a great devil that is about to be born.

Through the spherical shell formed by boiling magma, countless larvae inside are exploding one after another. Under the influence of some powerful force, they are turned into sticky "ketchup" and stirred together. They are constantly squeezed and solidified in a very precise way, and finally form a body whose rough outline can barely make out the human shape.

First the bones, then the internal organs, the circulatory system and the muscles...

Unlike the chaotic, disordered, completely random, and whatever-shaped evolution of the abyss demons, the devils' body shaping process presents an orderly beauty of an industrial assembly line from beginning to end.

Although each type of devil, especially high-level devils, tends to be greatly strengthened in all aspects.

But no matter whether it is a hellish demon or the lowest level inferior demon, there is not much difference in their inner nature.

This is why the former can use the ability of [Devil Shaping] to transform the latter into a more advanced devil form at will.

For example, twenty lesser demons can be transformed into two bone demons or three hook demons.

If necessary, they can even use twenty lesser demons to create another pit fiend.

But considering that this is equivalent to adding a potential competitor of the same level, the Hellfire Fiend would never do so unless it is in an emergency.

This homogeneity gives the Devil's Legion a great advantage in flexibility. It can transform the huge and bloated low-level Devil's Legion into a small and high-level elite at any time, and then complete a series of tactical coordination that seems incredible to outsiders.

And the conversion speed is very fast, often only taking one minute to complete.

The only drawback is that this transformation is irreversible.

Even a Pit Fiend or a higher-level Great Devil cannot turn the temporarily transformed Bone Demons and Hook Demons back into the original number of Lesser Demons.

Of course, there is no need to change back.

After all, the number of inferior demons is equal to the number of mortal souls that have fallen into hell, so it is extremely easy to replenish them.

The real problem that needs to be solved is how to assign corresponding positions to these converted intermediate and even high-level devils, to ensure that the strict hierarchy among devils and the absolute order within hell will not be shaken in the slightest.

However, the above problems did not exist in the ninth level of Zuo Si's rule.

Because anyone who is deemed a threat will soon be "interviewed" by the succubus queen, Mecanthus, which is actually just being thrown into a pool of shiny oil to take a bath.

When you come out, both your thoughts and consciousness will take a 180-degree turn.

Since all threats are eliminated in the bud, the political struggles and intrigues at the ninth level are far less intense than those at other levels, and the lawful tendency is maximized.

On the contrary, it is the evil tendency that seems slightly lacking to outsiders.

Several lords and devil dukes even criticized Zuo Si's way of ruling and the ridiculous election method in the huge cyberpunk city, thinking that it was neither "hell" nor "devil".

But Asmodeus knew full well what amazing benefits the city could bring every month.

The number of Soul Prisms obtained through trade alone amounts to millions or even tens of millions.

Not to mention that there are a large number of mortals who are lost in the wonderful feeling of feasting and drinking, where they can release their inner desires without restraint, and cannot extricate themselves, until they are willing to sign a contract to sell their souls in exchange for more money to maintain their current life.

This kind of environment where people continue to sink into depravity while enjoying happiness is much more effective than those methods that rely on threats, intimidation, seduction and temptation.

Asmodeus also noticed that the more materially abundant a society is, the more likely it is that human spirits will feel empty and lonely, and their faith and awe of the gods will continue to decrease.

Even many people who possess enormous wealth and power cannot help but have a strong desire to break taboos or even blaspheme God.

Many women and men in secret gatherings would dress themselves up as the incarnation of a certain god most often used, and then gather in groups of three or five to perform some unsightly acts.

In the eyes of the Lord of Hell, only this kind of dark soul formed by self-degradation can emit the most charming fragrance, and at the same time can squeeze out more energy.

According to this line of thought and logic, doesn't it mean that the richer and more developed the material world is, the easier it is for mortal souls to become corrupt and degenerate?

In fact, he has privately conducted similar experiments in a world controlled by the devil, trying to prove whether this set of methods is universal and worth promoting on a large scale.

If the results meet expectations, the devils will begin to drastically adjust their strategies to help the poor and backward world become rich.

Then they wield their sickles to harvest the souls of mortals in waves, just like farmers planting crops and herdsmen raising livestock.

As for the consumption of money and material things, the devils don't care.

While waiting, Asmodeus asked Zuo Si some questions about the future development and planning of cyberpunk cities. They also exchanged ideas on how to better stimulate the evil, greed, selfishness, and indulgence in human nature, as well as how to exploit those cunning subordinates to make them do more work.

Viconia, who was standing by, was sweating profusely after hearing this. Even her original strong feeling of hunger disappeared, leaving only deep fear and awe.

Even during the conversation, these two big devils standing at the top of the pyramid of power and authority in Baator Hell maintained their elegant manners and kind smiles from beginning to end.

But the content of the conversation made her, a dark elf who was regarded by other races as evil as that of demons, feel horrified.

Especially the contrast that cannot be described in words is more frightening than the madness, bloodthirstiness and tyranny of the spider goddess Rose.

After all, the evil of the latter is easy to feel.

However, the former disguises himself as a traditional "good guy" in the eyes of mortals, and induces them to fall into hell step by step while enjoying happiness.

Similarly, Viconia also discovered the state of the huge cyberpunk city, which is actually a super-enhanced version of the West Coast Empire.

Richer material conditions!

More variety of entertainment enjoyment!

There are also countless temptations everywhere!

Even if she knew the truth and lived in such an environment for a long time, she would probably not be much different from those residents who have already fallen.

After all, if you have to choose between happiness, dullness and pain, anyone in their right mind will choose the first one.

Because that is the most primitive instinct engraved in our genes.

Just when Viconia's brain began to overload, a violent vibration suddenly came from the hatching pit that was originally covered by magma.

The next second...

Boom!!! The entire hatching pit erupted like a volcano, sprinkling a large amount of liquid mixed with sticky blood and flesh into the air.

Countless things that looked like human faces appeared out of thin air on the walls inside the hatching pit, and opened their mouths and let out shrill screams.

Along with screams, a humanoid creature that was more than three meters tall and extremely thin finally flew out slowly from the bottom of the deep pit.

He has huge bat wings that are standard for a devil, a hooked tail with a poisonous smell, and his hands and feet have all turned into sharp claws, but there are no horns on his head.

Or rather, there was no head at all. There was only a swirling black hole that kept spinning under the leather hood, as if leading to a void and different dimension.

There is no doubt that this faceless devil is the completely transformed Erinikas.

“Ah! It seems the surprise has finally been revealed.

Congratulations, my young friend, you have a new capable man under your command.

But before that, you may have to solve a small problem."

Asmodeus looked at Erinikas' empty face and smiled playfully.

Just as expected.

The latter was obviously in a very delicate state at this moment.

The first thing he did when he landed on the ground was to open his mouth and ask in a flat tone: "Who am I? Why can't I see anything and feel anything?"

"What's going on?"

Zuo Si clearly showed a very confused expression.

If this situation happened to the demon from the Abyss, he wouldn't feel the slightest bit strange.

After all, anything can happen in that chaotic place.

But the problem is that hell belongs to the plane of order, and normally accidents are absolutely impossible to happen.

Asmodeus answered without hesitation: "As the soul holder, you should know best what happened to him, right? Now this devil transformed from a lost soul needs a new identity to redefine himself.

And you are the only master who can give him this definition.

Be it a fragment of memory or something you once cherished and used.

In short, you have to pay something to get this capable subordinate.

Now that the mystery has been solved, I can go back with peace of mind.

If you have the chance, remember to get more of these super high quality souls in the future.

They can greatly enhance the power of the entire plane."

After saying that, the Lord of Hell disappeared on the spot and teleported away.

Because he had seen this unique form of the great devil transformed from a quasi-god, and he also knew the power that the other party gained from extinguishing the divine spark.

“Things you once treasured and used?”

Zuo Si lowered his head and thought for a moment, then quickly remembered the mask he had torn off from Erinikas's face when they had a falling out, and hurriedly dug it out.

[Mask of Erinikas]

Increases the spell slot from level 1 to 9 by 1 Provides permanent acceleration effect to the wearer

Intelligence attribute plus 5

Spell resistance increased by 20

There is a 10% chance that after successfully casting a spell, a super magic skill - spell twinning will be triggered, turning the original spell into two identical spells instantly. This mask is exclusive to Erinikas, and no one else can obtain the powerful magic power contained in it.

When this mask that looked like a human face appeared, the big devil who was standing motionless not far away seemed to have noticed something, and immediately walked over and slowly stretched out his bony claws.

"Give it to me, give it to me, I can feel that it belongs to me."

"Why don't you just rob it?"

Zuo Si looked at the other person's face with interest, which was as empty as a whirlpool black hole.

Erinikas was silent for a moment and then replied, "I can't do that. Because I need to be given and redefined, and that's something only you can do."

"So I am your master, right?" Zuo Si continued to test.

"Yes. The moment you handed the mask to me, you gained absolute control over me. This is a clause clearly stated in the contract, and I cannot violate it at all."

After saying this, the devil Erinikas stopped making any sound and just waited for the result in silence.

Zuo Si was still quite confident in the binding force of the rules of hell.

After all, the Primordial Covenant explicitly granted the devil the power to dispose of legally acquired souls at will.

So he just handed over the mask.

As a result, the moment Erinikas got the mask, he became extremely excited and started shouting like a madman, and then put the mask on his face, which was left with only a vortex-shaped black hole.

moment!

The mask, which was originally just a layer of dead skin, was quickly infused with vitality and merged perfectly with the head and neck, looking no different from before.

But the weird thing is that although his face looks like an elf, the rest of his body is completely devilish.

At first glance, it can seem very scary and incongruous.

In addition, after putting on the mask, Erinikas finally showed obvious changes in his emotions, no longer as cold as a machine as before.

"I remember it all! I once had two names, Johnarès and June Irenicus.

They represent two completely different stages of life.

And now I have been transformed into a devil because of the contract I signed."

"You can actually recall all your memories as a mortal?"

Zuo Si was obviously surprised.

Because the soul goes to the outer planes for reincarnation after the death of the body, it is theoretically impossible to retain complete memories.

Whether it is hell or abyss with evil tendencies, or heaven or paradise with good tendencies.

Generally speaking, it is already a great achievement for a soul to retain even a small fragment of memories from its mortal period.

Orcus, one of the three giants of the abyss, relied on the slight advantage brought by his fragmentary memories as a necromancer in his previous life to kill other competitors and slowly crawled from a larva to his current position.

Erinikas raised his paw and gently touched the extremely inconsistent face, and said in a nostalgic tone: "No, this is not a recollection or a memory, but it is given by this mask. Once I lose my face, I will forget everything in an instant."

"I see! This is what it really means to be empowered and redefined..."

Zuo Si immediately understood Erinikas' current condition and the abilities he possessed as a unique form of great devil.

Without the mask, this guy is like a robot without any personality or thinking, and only acts according to underlying logic.

The mask is like a software system that gives it personality and thinking.

When given the Mask of Erinikas, he becomes that powerful elven high mage;

But if it were a mask made from the face of a powerful warrior, then this guy would also acquire the warrior's personality and thinking patterns.

Most importantly, this ability will be superimposed on the Archdevil's own basic abilities.

Therefore, Erinikas's swirling black hole face actually reflects his inner self that is constantly sinking and falling until he completely loses himself.

I have to say, this situation is really quite interesting.

It is even more powerful than Farrow, the ace spy who can split his personality infinitely, and Isadora, who has cloned herself in large numbers and is absorbing each other.

But Zuo Si obviously didn't have much time to conduct various experiments at this moment. After making it into a card for the Planeswalker, he took the starving Viconia back to the Mage Tower.

…

At the same time, far away on the edge of Anauroch, the largest desert in the north of Faerun, a huge floating city floated above the clouds.

Orvo, the great arcanist left over from the Netheril era, is commanding a group of mages, warlocks, apprentices, and constructs to continuously expand outward around the center where the Core of Mysera is placed.

At present, most of the buildings near the center have been completed.

Although it looks a bit empty due to the lack of residents, it does not prevent everyone involved from feeling excited and full of anticipation.

After all, for the vast majority of spellcasters on the continent of Faerun, Netheril, to some extent, represents the pinnacle of human magical civilization and is the golden age that countless wizards yearn for.

Although Netheril is still a long way from the magical power of the elves at their peak.

The floating city is one of the most iconic and recognizable things of this era.

It is equivalent to a flag. When it is raised again, it will inevitably attract many people to join it.

The time and energy he spent on the floating city was several times or even dozens of times more than the Kadarin magic stone vein, which Zuo Si considered to be more important.

Of course, the great arcanist did not relax his vigilance towards this important mineral vein, but used magical power to build a solid stone fortress above the mine.

Not only did he let one of his descendants take charge, he also stuffed more than two thousand undead creatures in to ensure safety.

Several desert tribes that wanted to come and plunder were killed by the swarming undead army before they could even get close to the city wall.

Even his body and soul after death were transformed into one of them.

Knowing the situation of this land that once belonged to the rule of Netheril, Ovo never thought that those seemingly fierce desert tribes and bandits would be any threat.

What he was really worried about were the enemies who were hiding and completely invisible.

In particular, there have been several recent reports of very suspicious individuals appearing near the surrounding desert oases, questioning the locals about the Great Desert of Enorok.

Thinking of this, the Archmage turned his eyes away from the noisy construction site and turned to ask his assistant, "Has the people we sent out not yet caught these suspicious targets?"

"Sorry, Master, there is no good news yet.

The other party seems to be very alert and will choose to run away immediately if he finds something wrong.

And according to the description of the wizard who participated in the hunt, the target will disappear completely after escaping into the shadows, and it is suspected that it has the ability to travel between the real world and the shadow world. "

The lich quickly told the situation he knew.

从恭敬的态度不难看出，他其实对于这位“老前辈”相当的尊敬和崇拜。

毕竟奥沃在死灵魔法方面的造诣可以说是登峰造极，稍微指点两句都能让其他死灵法师受用终身。

“遁入阴影？可以在现实世界与阴影界穿梭？”奥沃先是微微愣了一下，紧跟着迅速皱起眉头。“有点奇怪，这可不是什么好消息。”

巫妖十分不解的问：“不就是几个使用阴影魔网的可疑施法者，您有必要那么紧张吗？”

奥沃脸色阴沉的解释道：“如果只是一两个当然不值得紧张。

但问题是这些家伙数量太多了。

而且你注意到没有，他们出现次数最多的区域，实际上是在弯刀峰山脉以北的干渴沙洲。

这里几乎是整个沙漠最大的盆地。

如果有人想要通过魔法来创造一个巨大的湖泊和适合耕种的区域，那么无疑它就是最好的选择。”

说话的功夫，大奥术师通过魔法凭空塑造了一份由幻象构成的地图，并在上边标记出“干渴沙洲”位置。

根据地图很容易就能看出，在大沙漠南方弯刀形状山脉的包裹下，有一片面积巨大的盆地，其中心位置还有一小块代表水的蓝色图案。

在耐瑟瑞尔最辉煌的时期，这里就是整个文明最重要的粮仓之一，而那个小小几乎快要看不出来的蓝点，当年则是一片水资源充沛的湖泊。

可现在，随着环境的崩溃，这个湖泊在太阳日复一日的蒸发下已经从淡水湖变成了一个非常小的咸水湖，连带着周围都是成片的盐碱地带。

几个比较强势的部落占领了咸水湖，并通过收集盐分跟过往的商人或其他部族交换生活必需品。

可以说干渴沙洲就是现如今这片费伦大陆占地面积最大沙漠中，唯一还算勉强适合人类生存的地方。

要是左思看到地图上的标记，肯定能一眼就认出这个所谓的“干渴沙洲”，就是未来被阴魂城占领并改造的“幽影海”。

“您的意思是……我们发现的阴影魔网施法者有可能是来自当年躲进阴影界的浮空城？他们正在打探埃诺奥克沙漠的情况，为即将到来的回归做准备？”

巫妖这会儿终于反应过来，语气中带着无比的震惊和难以置信。

毕竟这座浮空城已经从人们的视线范围内消失太久了，有很多历史学家和学者都开始猜测，里边的居民可能已经被阴影位面中可怕的不死生物全部杀死并变成了怪物。

奥沃轻轻点了点头：“是的。

毕竟普通的幽影生物可不会在遇到活人之后立马选择掉头逃跑。

而是会被无法压抑的憎恨情绪所驱使发起进攻才对。

会逃跑就意味着足够聪明且拥有理智。

我怀疑泰拉曼特·坦舒尔极有可能在进入阴影位面的时候，跟某位邪恶黑暗的女神做了交易。

那些使用阴影魔网的可疑对象或许就是交易的结果。

不然的话，换成任何正常的奥术施法者，都不会轻易放弃使用魔法女神所编织的魔网，去选择拥抱拥有巨大缺陷和漏洞的阴影魔网。”

“我的天呐！如果这是真的，那我们岂不是要面对一座在阴影位面积蓄了数千年力量的巨大威胁？”

巫妖的声音中带着一丝紧张。

毕竟算算时间，如果阴魂城之主泰拉曼特·坦舒尔还活着的话，现在起码也有两千八百多岁了。

浮空城进入阴影位面的时间也超过一千七百年。

根据法师活得越久往往就越强大的定律，没人知道这位至高城主现如今掌握了怎样匪夷所思的魔法力量。

可奥沃却不屑一顾的讽刺道：“怕什么！ 泰拉曼特·坦舒尔不过是一个忘记了耐瑟瑞尔荣耀向神明卑躬屈膝的废物而已。

他有浮空城难道我们就没有吗？ 好好看看你现在脚下踩着的是什么？ 更何况我们身后还有一个幅员辽阔、军事力量强盛、可以源源不断培养法师的庞大帝国支持。”

说话的功夫，奥沃直接通过传讯魔法把消息送到了远在上千公里之外的左思手上。

另外一边，漂浮在阴影位面的阴魂城中央大殿内。

身为最高领导人的泰拉曼特·坦舒尔正坐在属于自己的王座上，听着最信任、最得力的手下哈杰霍纳汇报消息。

在他周围站着十名年纪相差很大、但从面相上来看明显拥有血缘关系的男性。

不用问也知道，这些男性成员就是至高城主的儿子们，同时也被尊称之为“阴魂王子”。

其中作为长子兼莎尔选民的瑞瓦兰·坦舒尔，正在用十分阴冷且充满敌意的眼神盯着哈杰霍纳的背影。

他显然非常嫉妒这个外人可以如此深得父亲的信任跟重用，甚至在政治地位上比自己还要高。

但哈杰霍纳对此却仿佛什么都没看到一样，自顾自把手头整理汇编的情报以最简明扼要的方式阐述出来。

因为他眼下所担任的职位，实际上就相当于一人之下万人之上的首相。

只要泰拉曼特还一如既往的信任自己，其余这些银魂王子们怎么闹腾都无所谓。

“根据派出去的探子回报，现如今的耐瑟瑞尔帝国遗址上除了漫天的黄沙和已经彻底退化的蛮族之外，根本没有太多有价值的东西。

如果您想要在这片土地上重建耐瑟瑞尔，唯一可以利用的地方就是一片叫做干渴沙洲的盆地。

只要通过魔法制造出一片庞大的淡水湖，那么周围数千平方公里的土地就会变得适合耕种并养活一定数量的人口。

除此之外，在沙漠南方有一个叫做科米尔的王国，不仅土地富庶而且人口众多，是个非常不错的征服对象。

只要我们占领了该国，就能继续向东北方向扩张，进而吞并桑比亚、谷地等区域。

后者一个正在内战，另外一个长期处于分裂状态，根本不可能抵挡得住我们猛烈的进攻……”

就在哈杰霍纳指着刚刚绘制出来的地图滔滔不绝讲述自己制定的计划时，一名阴魂王子——雅达·坦舒尔站出来质疑道：“为什么选择科米尔王国、桑比亚和谷地？ 从地理上来来说，北地、西哈特兰德跟巨龙海岸一带不是更好的目标吗？ 而且一旦获得出海口，我们还能快速组建起强大的海军。”

哈杰霍纳转过身撇了一眼这位跟瑞瓦兰一样支持莎尔教会领导阴魂城的王子，非常干脆的回答道：“当然是因为西海岸帝国。

你刚才提到的那些地方，要么已经属于这个强大帝国的领土，要么是即将被吞并的领土。

因此任何形式的入侵都可能意味着一场惨烈的战争。

而且对方拥有数量相当多且等级不低的施法者，帝国皇帝本人更是魔法女神的选民、传奇法师兼牧师。

作为计划的制定者，我不认为在一开始就跟这样强大的敌人对上是明智的选择。”

“多说说这个西海岸帝国和那位皇帝。我希望了解更多关于他们的详细信息。”

沉默了良久的泰拉曼特突然敲了敲座椅的扶手。

看到父亲发话，雅达也不敢再继续纠缠下去，立马鞠躬致意后向后退了两步。

哈杰霍纳眼睛里闪过一抹不易被察觉到的嘲弄，随后掏出几页写满蝇头小字的纸张，清了清嗓子朗读道：“西海岸帝国是由原本的卡林衫、泰瑟尔、安姆和从博德之门到巨龙海岸的广袤土地拼凑而成，整体上继承了夏恩王朝鼎盛时期的版图。

它成立的时间非常短，是通过一场联姻获得了统治的合法性。

缔造者和现任皇帝——索斯是魔法女神和剧毒与疾病女神共同的选民，同时还自称是一名旅法师。

关于他的经历和一些传闻内容实在是太多了，百分之九十暂时都无法确认真假。

所以我特地按照时间线全部罗列出来，您还是自己看吧。

只能说要是这些有一半是真的，我们最好永远都不要招惹他。”

说罢，哈杰霍纳抽出两张纸双手递给王座上那个冷漠、没有任何表情和情绪的身影。

泰拉曼特接过来以极快的速度把上边的内容扫了一遍，黑暗深邃的眼睛里终于有了一丝动容，直截了当的问：“你确定这些是凡人能够参与并做到的？”

“我不太清楚。

但考虑到所有这些时间发生的时间距离现在都很近，可信度应该很高。

正因为如此，我才觉得尽量避开与西海岸帝国的正面冲突才是明智的选择。

毕竟费伦大陆很广阔，东边有无数土地可以供我们征服和开发。

There is no need to risk heavy losses by going to war with another powerful empire."

Hajihona completely ignored the hostile looks of several Gintama princes who believed in Shar, and gave his suggestions solemnly.

It is not difficult to see from these words that he is not interested in the Church of the Goddess of Night at all, but is completely loyal to the Supreme City Lord alone.

Telramante squinted his eyes and stared at the map, seeming to be thinking and weighing the pros and cons.

Although he, like other ghost princes, had long since absorbed negative energy and transformed himself into a ghost form in order to prolong his life, he did not completely trust Shar deep down.

To be precise, there is even some caution in secret.

This can be seen from the fact that he used Haji Hona to suppress his eldest son, Revalan.

You must know that anyone who could become a great arcanist in the Netheril period was an absolute top genius.

In addition, the great arcanists at the time generally believed that gods were just the thoughts of stronger arcanists, which led to them often being very arrogant in their hearts.

Although Telramant surrendered to Shar on the surface, only he knew what he was thinking in his heart.

"Father, I think you have no need to be afraid of this newly established West Coast Empire and its ruler. Because the great goddess has blessed us with a secret weapon that is powerful enough to fight against it."

As he spoke, Revalan pulled out a black box inlaid with runes from his arms and carefully handed it to his father.

"This is……"

Telamante did not reach out to take it immediately, but stared at his eldest son with a slightly wary and puzzled look.

He knew very well that these sons were secretly planning to kill him and replace him.

The reason why no one has taken actual action yet is that the mutual restraints have formed a delicate balance.

Once the balance is broken, the eldest son in front of him, who has already become the chosen one of Shar, will certainly be very happy to be the first to perform the fatherly love and filial piety, and then present the City of Ghosts as a gift to his goddess.

"This is a gift! A gift from the great goddess! With it, our City of Ghosts can defeat all enemies and restore the glory of the Netheril era."

When saying this, Revalan's tone was extremely excited and fanatical, and his eyes revealed his infinite devotion to faith.

Seeing this scene, Telamante frowned subconsciously, but did not say much, just reached out and took the box.

Because making his eldest son believe in Shar was one of the deals he made with the goddess.

The original intention was to hope that Rivalan could resist temptation, stick to his original intention as an arcanist and continue to move forward on the path of magic.

But the result is that since joining the church, Rivalan's mage level has remained at LV11 and has never increased. On the contrary, the priest level has advanced by leaps and bounds to LV15.

He himself fell into an inexplicable religious fanaticism, and established a church in the City of Ghosts to continuously expand Shar's influence.

Despite being very upset with his eldest son, Telramante eventually opened the box.

As a result, when he saw the things inside, his pupils, which had not changed in thousands of years, suddenly dilated, as if he had seen something incredible.

Just a second later, the Supreme City Lord immediately snapped the lid shut, stood up, and asked in an unquestionable tone: "Are you sure this is a gift from the goddess to the City of Ghosts?"

"Yes, father.

The goddess has foreseen that we will face a powerful enemy.

That's why I grant you this weapon as a trump card to turn the situation around at the critical moment.

Perhaps the West Coast Empire and its emperor are indeed as difficult to deal with as Hajjona described.

But with the blessing of the great goddess of night, we will be the ones who win in the end.

So do not hesitate, it is time to return Shade to Faerun and announce to the world that Netheril is back."

Revalan raised his arms and shouted in an inspiring tone.

Maybe he felt that the power of the thing in the box was strong enough, or maybe he felt that with the goddess of night, Shar, on his side, he had a high chance of winning.

Anyway, after about a minute of silence, Telramant Tanshuul finally said in his majestic voice: "From this moment on, the entire City of Ghosts will enter the final preparation stage. Recall all those who are still exploring the Shadow Plane. In a month, we will return to Faerun to rebuild Netheril."

"As you wish, Supreme City Lord."

"Father, I promise that the whole world will tremble in fear under the powerful magic and military might of the City of Ghosts."

"That's right! They will surrender to us and sacrifice everything to rebuild Netheril!"

…

For a moment, the eyes of the ghost princes in the hall burst into a light of ambition.

After all, they stay in the floating city of the shadow plane all day long, and they basically have no room to do anything except fighting among themselves.

But now, once they return to the material world, these princes can expand their territory, develop their power, and form an army loyal to them.

Even if he cannot inherit the position of Lord of Ghost City in the end, at least he can become a provincial governor or establish his own kingdom.

Even Hajjona is no exception in this regard.

However, Telramant Tanshul did not care about this. Instead, he was pleased with his sons' "ambition" and carefully put the box close to his body.

As for what is inside, apart from him, probably only Rivalan knows.

Following an order from the Supreme City Lord, the Ghost City, which had been silent for more than a thousand years, was immediately mobilized.

Countless mages, warriors, and priests, under unified coordination and dispatch, entered a semi-wartime control state.

All applications for going out and transfer orders were rejected, and the sentry towers built in other places in the shadow plane were abandoned in a very short time.

The various ghost princes also took the opportunity to recruit some capable people to join their teams in preparation for the upcoming war of expansion.

No one noticed that in the invisible depths of the shadow plane, a pair of eyes emitting lavender light were watching their every move.

The owner of the eyes raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

(End of this chapter)